Elderly People And Social Workers

[sherrardk]

Is it usual for an elderly person with dementia to have a social worker?

[2sp_]

My Granny has dementia and she has one.

[sherrardk]

Hi 2sp, What do they do for the elderly person?

[woofgang]

It depends sherrard. If they are receiving services that are funded by the council, they will have a care manager, who may not be a qualified social worker. If they are classed as a "vulnerable person" which means either no close family support or the family are actually a problem. If the person is in residential care and all is well, then the case may be closed but can be reopened at need.
If the person is self funding for any care they may need, and has family support, then they may only have assistance from NHS elderly care staff.

[woofgang]

shout if you want more help

[2sp_]

She basically makes sure Granny has all the care she needs and is entitled to, and is currently trying to find her a place in a local nursing home. She is now 90 (Granny, not the SW), and can no longer live on her own.

[sherrardk]

Thanks woof - don't know the full details yet. It's all to do with himself's estranged dad who we have found out has dementia. Himself is trying to find out where he is living, etc but doesn't want to speak to his sister about it (they don't speak). The local social services were a bit cagey and we are waiting for FIL's social worker to contact us.

[DaisyNonna]

Since when has this been usual?

[campbellking]

As therapists at the hospital we are not allowed to determine what care package a patient may require (are allowed to make recommendations only), and therefore a social worker is often appointed to sort this out.

[woofgang]

Oh ok.Its complicated. The social worker may not be able to tell your OH much. She/he will still be bound by rules of confidentiality and also (and I know this is horrible) she has to make the decisions on what she can tell your husband based on what she believes that OH's father would want, she must make the decisions that she thinks he would make...now as your OH and his dad were estranged, she may feel that OH's father might not have wanted to see your OH........... :(

[sherrardk]

Woof, it's ok - I have played devil's advocate with himself. There's a fair chance that either his sister or brother-in-law have POA and they wouldn't allow my husband to see him (there's a lot of nastiness and my SIL's MS has really affected her personality + there's the whole inheritance thing which would be at the forefront of my SIL's mind). Oh well, will wait to hear front he social worker.

[woofgang]

sher, the POA won't prevent it per se.

[sherrardk]

Thank you woof, will report back when I know more :)